Thursday, February 28, 2008

This is Sorbus aucuparia, the European mountain ash. It is called 'ash' because of the similar foliage. But it has nothing to do botanically with ash as it is from the rose family while the ash is from the olive family. Anyway, the reason this was repotted way too early is the fungus that attacks this species in the roots. If repotted in April like most other non-conifers the fungus will attack in May and in June the tree is dead. Repotting now is done on the hope that the wounds in the roots are already closed when it gets warm enough for the fungus. We also used good protectant on the wounds: milking fat!

Monday, February 25, 2008

The huge larch was placed on the big turn table. Then the branches were cut back and the tree was cleaned. Then everything wired. It's coming. It will take another five years to get to exhibit stage.The tree will probably get a new front. The last image is a virtual and shows the new position.

I will be at Nature's Way Nursery in Harrisburg, PA at the beginning of April. This time we will offer very special workshops. There are more than 30 outstanding collected trees that we work on. These are Rocky Mountain Junipers and Ponderosa Pines of exceptional quality. Some of them are clearly material for world class bonsai.

We will do with the trees whatever need to be done at their stage. This will be lifting form the container, examining roots. taking out old debris from the root ball, cutting branches, deciding about future shape, reducing foliage, cleaning trunks, potting into bonsai pots. The participants will actually work with these trees hands on. I will explain every step, what, how and why. I will go into the horticultural side at length and certainly also into the artistic side. We will not style a single tree, but participants will get a good picture of the future of each tree. I will also make professional photographs of the trees during the sessions. Folks who are interested will get my advice about how to make professional bonsai images.Most of the trees are available for sale by Jim Doyle. They are certainly not cheap though. It is not required that someone purchases any tree. Prices can NOT be quoted at this point in time. Trees will have a price tag at the beginning of April though.

Dates: general workshops with several participants: Friday , April 4 (9am to 5pm) and Sunday, April 6 (10am to 5pm). I am also available on Saturday, April 5 and MOnday, April 7 for individual sessions if required.

Contact Nature's Way Nursery, Jim Doyle for the workshops and Jim or myself for the individual sessions.

End of March 2008 we have the third Shun Ten near Munich, Germany, The Shun Ten is one of the Grand Slam Conventions in Europe. This time thos who have been invited are supposed to bring one tree only of medium size. I decided that it should be this Europen beech, Fagus sylvatica, 53 cm high, around 50 years old, collected in Germany in 1993. Today I planted it in this fine pot by Milan Klika. This is the only chance to show the beech at it's height, which is clearly without foliage, before the buds have opened.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Today I recieved my Nikon 60/2.8 lens. This is a macro lens, but can also be used for portrait. If a lens is called a portrait lens it is automatically excellent for taking bonsai picutures. The 60/2.8 is known for crisp clear images. Well, this one I shot without a tripod with manual focus. Under these circumstances it is quite good. The tree is kind of untidy, it is in winter storage and needs some maintenance work.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

It has many fronts, as usually. The one with the virtual pot in the last image is my favorite. Well, it will shine in a couple of years. Not so bad for a piece of material that was declared "useless" by some experts.